Brawling football fans have been condemned as mindless hooligans by police after a running battle in Banbury.

Oxford United supporters clashed with Swindon Town followers. Some local youths were also involved.

Trouble broke out at 9.30pm on Saturday after about 20 Oxford fans, returning by rail from the club's away match at Rochdale, stopped off at Banbury station.

Minutes later there was a confrontation in Bridge Street with a group of Swindon supporters on their way back from a fixture at Peterborough.

The fans battled with each other and with local youths.

Police were called and six officers from Banbury police station and Bicester traffic base were first on the scene.

They were joined by reinforcements, who included dog handlers, from Chipping Norton, Witney, Kidlington, Carterton, and Bicester.

The rival fans eventually left town separately by train to Oxford and in cars and minibuses to Swindon.

Insp Fiaz Choudhary, head of the Banbury police sector, said: "The so-called supporters were a disgrace, and I am sure neither club wants to be associated with them.

"They were mindless and violent hooligans looking for trouble, and it is deplorable that Banbury should be faced with this sort of behaviour on a Saturday night."

He said: "Six officers from Banbury police station and Bicester traffic section were first on the scene and they soon gained control of the situation. The prime concern was to keep the groups apart and send them on their way. All told, 14 police officers were brought in -- thankfully none was injured."

Insp Choudhary said: "No arrests were made at the time because the situation was volatile.